Royal attendance for ANZAC Day commemoration
Wednesday, 25th April 2018
HRH The Duke of Cambridge, HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle attended a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 25th April 2018.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who said in his Bidding:
The landing of allied forces at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 led to one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. Australian and New Zealand forces joined together for the first time, and a new word entered the language: ANZAC. Remembering that so many died, we honour the bravery and determination of the men at Gallipoli.
The memory of what became known as The Great War is with us as a warning and an encouragement. We are warned that war involves suffering and death; we are encouraged by the spirit of national pride shown by the soldiers we remember this ANZAC Day.
At the start of the service the flags of New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and the United Kingdom were carried through the Abbey and placed beside the High Altar. The flags were borne by Staff Sergeant Kevin Cowsill (New Zealand), Warrant Officer Two Richard Rickerby (Australia), Staff Sergeant Ozan Süslü (Turkey), and Warrant Officer One Trevor Starkey.
His Excellency the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ, read St Micah 4: 1-5; and His Excellency the High Commissioner for Australia, The Honourable Alexander Downer AC, read St John 15: 9-17.
The Address was given by the Dean.
His Excellency Abdurrahman Bilgiç, Ambassador of Turkey at the Court of St James, read the words of Mustafa Kemal Atatűrk inscribed on the memorial at ANZAC Cove in the Dardanelles.
Prayers were led by the Reverend Christopher Stoltz, Minor Canon and Precentor, and said by: Guy Walsh, Hunter Smith, Luke Jack, Jaya Ayyalaraju, Josie Alexander, Amelia Rose, Frankie Burgin, Thea Reinhardt, and the Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon in Residence.
The Fanfare Trumpeters from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines were directed by Major Ian Davis.
The National Anthems of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand were sung.
The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, and before the service by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.
Order of Service for A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day (PDF, 335KB)
